Closure for collapsible tubes, with pressure-responsive, resiliently biased outlet element



Aug. 19, 1952 FELBURG 2,607,515

c URE FOR COLLAPSIBLE-TUBES, WITH ESSURE-RESPONSIVE, RESILIENTLY BIASED OUTLET ELEMENT Flled Dec 18 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 19, 1952 R. FELBURG 2,607,515

" CLOSURE FOR LAPSIBLE TUBES, WITH PRESSURE-RESPONSIV RESILIENTLY BIASED OUTLE LEMENT Filed Dec. 18, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5910/60/03 61 gzlflM zs Aug. 19, 1952 R. A. FELBURG 2,607,515

CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES, WITH PRESSURE-RESPONSIVE, RESILIENTLY BIASED OUTLET ELEMENT Filed Dec. 18, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet a FIG. 8 46 45a 53051255 61 gal/8mg;

A g- 1952 R. A. FELBURG 2,607,515

CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES, WITH PRESSURE-RESPONSIVE, RESILIENTLY 'BIASED OUTLET ELEMENT Filed Dec. 18,1946 4 Sheets- -Sheet 4 7 FIG. l4 FIG. l5

Patented Aug. 19, 1952 PRESSURE RESPONSIVE,

RESILIENTLY BIAS-ED OUTLET ELEMENT Robert A. Felburg, Newark, N. J. App ication December 18, 1946, Serial No. 716,948 11 Claims. (01. 222-436) My invention relates broadly to the dispensing of'plastic or paste-like material and more particularly to an automatic closure for attaching to dispensing tubes for substantially eliminating wastage 'of the contents thereof. 1

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved construction for an automatic nozzle for paste tubes having means for autoinlieu of the standard closure cap and operating by spring pressure to close the paste tube. as soon as the application ofpressure .is released from the external surface of the tube.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of automatically controlled spring actuated closure valve for effecting the opening of the nozzle upon the application of pressure to the external surface of the paste tube and automatically effecting the closing of the valve upon release of pressure from the paste tube for preventing-the wastage of the paste-like contents of the tube.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction of-automatic closure for the nozzle of paste tubes as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: I

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view taken through the nozzle attachment for paste tubes and illustrating the principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3-is a horizontal sectional view'taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an expanded view illustrating the relation of the parts of the nozzle in superimposed positions preparatory to assembly into the completed nozzle; Fig. 6 is an expanded view of the components of the automatic closure valve in superimposed relation embodied in the nozzle of Figs; 1-5; Fig. 7 is an expanded view of the components of the plug, shaft and operating diaphragm of the closure valve of Figs. 1 -6; Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken through a modified form of automatic closure nozzle embodying my invention; Fig. 9 is a horizontal section'al view taken substantially on line 9--9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the details of construction of the valve operating mechanism in the form of nozzle illustrated in Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a detailed cross sectional view illustrating the manner of mounting the diaphragm in the construction of nozzle illustratedf in Fig. 8; Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line lZ-.- IZ of Fig. 8; Fig. 13 is an expanded view of the components comprising the nozzle construction illustrated in the modified form of my invention shown in Figs. 8-12; Fig. 14 is an expanded view of the components embodied in the operating diaphragm mechanism in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 8-12; and Fig. 15 is an expanded view of the components constituting the plug, shaft and diaphragm'in the-nozzle construction of Figs. 8-12.

' Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1-7 reference character I designates the nozzle which may be attached to the screwthreaded neck of any standard type of collapsible tube for dispensing paste-like material such as tooth paste, shaving cream, paints and pastelike material generally. The dispensing tube has been indicated in dotted lines at 24 having a screw-threaded neck engageable by the nozzle attachment of my invention. The nozzle I is molded from plastic material and tapers to a centrally apertured end la from a cylindrical skirt portion lc which may be provided with groups of vertically extending ribs lb to facilitate gripping of the cylindrical portion of the nozzle for applying or removing the nozzle from the screwthreaded, neck. The fact that the nozzle is molded from plastic permits the nozzle to be formed from bright colors which substantially adds to its aesthetic properties. 7

The operating mechanism for the valve within the attachment includes a resilient circular diaphragm 3' formed with a multiplicity of concentric corrugations and maintained in a substantially convex position under normal conditions of pressure within the paste tube as represented in Fig. 1 of the drawings by means of a constant pressure spring strip 4. The circular corrugated diaphragm 3 and the associated spring strip 4 are secured to the end of shaft 2 which terminates in a circular tapered plug 2a which coacts with the tapered aperture I a in the end of the nozzle l.. Thus the tapered plug 2a and the tapered wall of the central aperture la coact to form a closure when the shaft 2 is forced outwardly whereas an annular gap 2b is pro- '5 and diaphragm 3.

beneath the annularly disposed upwardly pro- 1 jecting hollow legs 1, l3 and 25 which are formed on the back plate 8. The back plate 8 is sub- Shoulder 20, vertical grooves ll, [8 and 2|, and horizontal snap ring groove 26 are all molded. The metal parts are all connected together and will slide into the plastic housing. The unit is pushed against rubber washer l9 and snap ring I2 looks it in place. The snap ring l2 prevents vertical movement between the unit and the #housing. .The' three keys' hi in gthe; slots 11, I8 and 2| prevent-rotary movement. -Washers I9 and i0 prevent paste from oozing out of the attachment. 7

, .When theunit is inserted into the housing l theishaftZ closes the hole Ia just before the unit stantially concave in shape and is spaced awayij 1 from the substantially concave member 5 for distance which permits the free flow of plastic" material from the container 24 around the membar 5 and diaphragm 3 to a discharge position around the head of shaft 2. The back plate 8 is: connected with the cylindrical wall [3 at its ex-.

ternal periphery and with. the cylindrical sleeve -or seat; for the annular gasket l3 against which the annular periphery of the screw-threaded neck 24a of container 24 is adapted tobe seated when the nozzle is screwe d firmly upon neck 2M and collapsible tube 24; d

The annular peripheryof back plate 8 at the point'of junction with the external. cylindrical wall I3 is seated against gasket [9 which. is compressed, against the annular shoulder 20 formed interiorly of the skirt l c of the molded nozzle l. The skirt lc of the molded nozzle lisprovided with an interior portion of reduced sectionrepresented at id into which the cylindrical wall I3 of the unit carryingback plate 8 is adapted to .be telescopically inserted. I provide a plurality of vertically extendinggrooves ll, [8 and 2| within the skirt lc of the molded nozzle l for receiving; and guiding the outwardly struck keys M which are formed on the cylindrical wall 13. The interior of the skirt [0 is provided with a-transversely arranged peripheral groove 26 intov which the resilient snap ring I2 is arranged to lockfor retaining the cylindrical sleeve 13 inposition within the nozzle I.

When the tube 24 is squeezed the paste flows through thetube into the nozzle as shown by lines m and n. The flow travels. between member .5 and back plate 3 around legs 1, l6 and 25. As 7 shaft 2 has the exitxplugged; a pressure builds tainerv formed by member 5, pass through the backplate 8 and exit through the space between the plastic housing and the tube 24.

,When the operator releases thepressure on the tube 24 the pressure on the diaphragm 3 is released and spring 4 springs back to its'normal position and pushes the diaphragm 3 with it. This action seals the nozzle l as the shaft 2 is pushed into the opening, Naturally air rushes back through the vent holes and fills the inside of the metal container formed between member Plastic "housing I is molded in one operation.

on -themetal member 5.

hits theshoulder 28. By pushing the unit flush against the shoulder 20, the shaft pushes the diaphragm 3 a fraction of the distance into its metal containerand thus a constant pressure is exerted byspring 4 on the shaft 2 assuring a tight fit at the opening.

It will be observed that flat spring 4 tends to maintain the corrugatedresilient diaphragm 3 in an expanded position so. that diaphragm 3 andqmember 5 are both convex With respect to a substantially central; plane extending between the surfaces of diaphragm}and-member 5 and that normallythe inner surface of diaphragm 3 and theinner surfaceof member 5 are, substantially concave withrespect to "each other. As shownmore particularly'in Fig; '5it will be seen that the pressure operating ,unit includes the cylindrical member l3 and the resilient diaphragm unit 3 connected to shaft 2 where the member 5 is sotspaced from'the back plate 8 that the plasticsmaterial' entering from the'paste tube coupled to :the internal screw threads'represented onsleeve --l:!.: is free to pass around-the diaphragm 3 through' the; annularipassage defined by the height offlegs :l; l 5? and 2am discharge through theape'rtur'ed end- Ia of the nozzle I.

As shown innF'i'g. 6 the operating unit which I have designated' as 28 m Fig. 5 includes the readily assembled parts which have been shown in superimposed expanded positions preparatory teassemb'lyfi" It will be noted in F-ig. "7 that' the plug unit which I'have designated at 29 in Fig; Goomprises an assembly of three simple parts consisting of shaft 2, diaphragmii and fiat'spring 4."

Shaft 2 may be turned out on an'automatic screw machine, Rivet 23 is formed by countersinking the end'of the shaft 2. The purpose of theshoulder22 on shaft 2'is to back up the diaphra-gm 3 on one side; and the other side of the shoulder-22' provides a rest to support the shaft 2 when the rivet 23 is hammered down. If it were rested on the head of the shaft 2, the plug would lose its perfect "circularshape and not form a good seal. Diaphragm 3 has a hole in the center to allow: the rivet-to-be to pass through it; Spring 4' is shown in a: cross-sectional and a top View. 'Whenathe diaphragm 3 and spring l are slipped over the rivet, the rivetis hammered down and the unit as shown in Fig.6 at 29 is formed.

- In the manufactureof the structure of my invention the rivets-.6 areinserted into the holes of the back plate 8 from the back. The unit is supported in ajig by the three rivets. Metal member 5 is placed over the rivets 6 so the legs are flush with-the metal member 5. Then the rivets are turned over forming a water-proof and air-proof joint. Then diaphragm 3 is placed Spring 4 is fitted in place, the. unit is forced down until the diaphragm 3 contacts the edge of the member 5. It is then-soldered in place to form an air-tight compartment, except for the three vent holes. Then the completed unit is slid into plastic housing l and snap ring l2 inserted'in slot 26 for locking the unit in place.

Referring to the modified'form of my invenlongitudinally extending manually grippable ribs 3% forfacilitating the attachment or removal of the nozzle from the screw-threaded neck of the'plastic tube. In this form of my invention the nozzle 36 is provided with an internal section of reduced diameter 366 terminating in an annular shoulder 3|. I also provide three symmetrically arranged shoulder members 32, 33 and 34 extending radially inwardly interiorly of the nozzle 30. Each of these shoulder members is 7 provided with a recessed edge portion represent ed at 32a, 33a and 34a which serve to seat and center the stainless steel annular washer member 35'which forms a centering and securing means for the annular gasket 36' which extends beneath the members 32, 33 and 34 and beneath the annular shoulder 3| and supports the peripheral edge of the displaceable diaphragm 31/ The opposite side of the annular peripheral edge of diaphragm 31 is seated against gasket 38 which rests upon the peripheral edge of the diaphragm housing 39. The diaphragm housing 39 in this instance is also formed from molded plastic with arcuate shaped slots 40,

4t and 42 molded in the fiat'peripheral edge thereof in alignment with the arcuate slots in gaskets 36 and 38 which I have represented at 36a, b, 36c and 38a, 38b and 380 The. diaphragm housing 39 is provided with pressure release ports 43 thereinproperly distributed 1 to release air pressure from the rear of resilient diaphragm 31.

The diaphragm 31 is'provided with a multiplicity of concentric circular corrugations permitting resilient displacement of the diaphragm with reference to the diaphragm housing '39. The center of the diaphragm 31: isapertured for the passage of the cylindrical sleeve member 44 which has a flange 44a bearing against a gasket 45-which bears against one side of diaphragm 31. The shaft 46 is centrally apertured as represented at 46a and is provided with a cylindrical recess as represented at 46b for concentrically receiving the sleeve 44. A solvent isapplied to the outer surface of the plastic'fitting 44. for effecting a firm interconnection with the recessed end 46b of shaft 46 thereby establishing a. firm interconnection between shaft 46 and diaphragm 31. The. recess 46a in shaft 46 forms a'socket into which the plastic shaft 41 is arranged to telescopically slide. The plastic shaft '41 is axially recessed at 41a for receiving the compression coil spring 48 which presses againstthe bottom of shaft 41 and the top of shaft 46. The partially tapered end of the hole in shaft 46 as represented at 46c insures that thecoil spring 48 will remain centered. The tapering open end of the shaft 41 at 411) prevents the spring 48.

6 from catching upon any projecting surface. Thus shaft 46 is centered with respect to dia' phragm 31 and is maintained in alignment with the aperture 30a in nozzle 30 as diaphragm 31 is collapsed or restored to normal position.

The back plate 8 and screw-threaded connection means for the neck of the metallic tube is shaped in a manner quite similar to the shape of the back plate 8 in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1-7 but in this instance the back plate is molded as represented at 49 and connects with the cylindrical outer wall 49a and a cylindrical inner wall 50. The juncture of the outer wall 49a withback plate49 bears against the sealing gasket 5| for preventing leakage of plastic ma--' terial. The cylindrical inner wall. 50'is internally screw-threaded as represented at 52 for engaging the screw-threaded neck of the collapsible tube which seats against the sealing gasket 53 secured against] the annular shoulder 54 intermediate cylindrical inner wall 59 and back plate 49. When the plastic tube is connected with wall 50 the plastic contents from the tube may be squeezed through theneck of the tube and through aperture 55 adjacent shoulder 54 and through the annular space 56 between back plate 49 and diaphragm housing 39 escaping through arcuate shaped slots 40, 41' and 42 and aligned slots 36a, 31a and 38a, 36b, 31b and 38b, and 360, 31c and 380 into the chamberwithin the interior of nozzle 30 over diaphragm 31 and around shaft 46. As the pressure builds up over diaphragm 31 the shaft 46 is forced inwardly against the pressure of compression spring 48 and plastic material is ejected through aperture 46a. As soon as pressure is released upon the supply tube the pressure of the flowing plastic decreases and compression spring 48 overcomes the pressure previously built up forcing the shaft 46 to a position which closes the tapered inclined face 46a of the shaft 46 into intimate contacting relation to the tapered face 38a of nozzle 30 for thereby closing the nozzle andpre: venting wastage of the plastic contents of the supply tube. j 1

The assembly of the molded construction of nozzle illustrated in Figs. 8-15 is even simpler than the assembly ofthe metallic construction illustrated in Figs. 1-7 in that the cylindrical skirt 300 of the molded nozzle 36 is provided with equally spaced longitudinally extending internal grooves 51, 58 and 59 interconnected by a laterally disposed circular groove 60'. The cylindrical outer s1eeve'59 of the tube support: ing unit is provided with'a multiplicity vofcoacting radially extending keys 6|, 62 and 63 which are arranged to project into and slide in the key ways formed by slots 51, 58 and 59 for centering and confining the tube supporting unit Within'the nozzle. Likewise the pressure operating unit is centered and confined within the nozzle by virtue of an arrangement of radially extending aligned lugs which are provided on the gasket 36, diaphragm 31 and gasket 38 and diaphragm housing 39 as shown more clearly in Fig. 14. These aligned lugs are shown at .3611 on gasket 36, at 31d on diaphragm 31, 38d on gasket 38 and 39d on diaphragm housing 39.

In Fig. 13 I have shown the pressure operating unit in assembled relation at 64. The components for the pressure operating unit 64 are illustrated in superimposed relation in Fig. 14.

The components comprising the pressure actuated diaphragm, shaft, securing means therefor r and the plug shaped valve are illustrated asa 7 unit at'65 in Fig. 14 and shown in superimposed expanded relation in Fig. 15.v

When the tube supporting unit has been moved to assembled relation with the .nozzle as illustrated i'n Fig. 8 the snap ring 66 is moved into locking position entering transverse groove 68 thus forming a ledge against which the tube. supporting unit is maintained against withdrawal from the nozzle. Collapsing of the snap ring 66 for withdrawal from the groove 60 is sufiicient to permit withdrawal of the'tube supporting unit and pressure operating unit for repair, maintenance vor'replacementof parts. V

The nozzle attachment of my invention. may be sold as an accessory for use on dispensing tubes from time to time. As'the supply-of plastic material in one tube is depleted a fresh tube may be connected to the nozzle. and the nozzle used practically indefinitely for replacement tubes which are purchased from time to time.

The differential pressure which is built up by squeezing the collapsible tube for ejecting the tube contents operates in both forms of my invention for overcoming the tension of spring in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1-7 and the spring 43 in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 8-15 and it is this difierential pressure which automatically controls the opening or closing of the plug at the end of the nozzle.

While I have described my invention in certain of its preferred embodiments I realize that modifications in the construction'and arrangement of parts of the nozzle of my invention may be made and I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new'and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. An automatic closure for paste dispensing tubescomprising a screw-threaded nozzle attachable to the screw-threaded end of a paste dispensing tube, a cover member supported in spaced relation to said nozzle, said cover member substantially conforming with the contour of the paste dispensing tube with which said screw threaded nozzle is connected and terminating in a paste dispensing orifice, a plug for closing said orifice, a diaphragm member connected with said plug, means biasing said plug to orifice-closing position, and a hollow-convex member supporting said diaphragm member at the periphery thereof in spacial relation tosaid nozzle and within said cover member the periphery of said hollow-convex member being spaced from the inner walls of said cover member thereby afiording' a'passageway between said nozzle and said dispensing orifice whereby the pressure of paste ejected from a dispensing tube operates to force paste-like contents of the tube around said hel low-convex member and over said diaphragm member for depressing said diaphragm member for opening said orifice while the paste is being ejected and close said orifice when ejecting pressure is discontinued.

2. Anautomatic closure for paste dispensing tubes comprising a multiple section nozzle attachable tothe dispensing neck of a paste dispensing tube, one of the sections of said nozzle comprising a cover member substantially eonforming with the contour of the paste dispensing tube with which said nozzle connects and terminating in 'a paste dispensing orifice'and another of saidsections comprising a hollow-convex supporting structure arranged internally within the 8 aforesaid cover member and. extending transversely thereof in spaced relation to the interior walls thereof, a diaphragm carried by said convex supporting structure, a central shaft connected with said diaphragm and terminating in aplug operative to close the'discharge orifice in the end of, said first mentioned section, and spring means for normally biasing said plug to a position closing said orifice, said diaphragm when subjected to pressure incident to the ejection of paste from said tube operating to collapse into said convex supporting structure and displace said plug for opening said discharge orifice, said plug automatically operating to close said discharge orifice as soon as discharge pressure is released from said dispensing tube.

3. An automatic closure for paste Edispensing tubes ofxthe type for ejecting paste-like tube contents under deformation of the walls of the tube comprising a closure having a pair of telescopically inter-engaging sections, one of said sections terminating at one end in an end discharge orifice and substantially conforming at the other end with'the contour 'of the tube with which said section connects, a shaft terminating in a plug operative to move into and out of the discharge orifice for closing or opening the orifice, a diaphragm connected with the inner end of said shaft, a hollow-convex supporting means for peripherally mounting said diaphragm within said first mentioned section in spaced relation to the interior walls thereof and subject to discharge pressure of contents of-the paste dispensing tube, spring means for normally biasing said diaphragm to a position projecting outwardly from said hollow-convex supporting means whereby said plug closes the discharge orifice, the discharge pressure, of the paste being effective against said diaphragm for collapsing said diaphragm into said hollow-convex supporting means and displacing said plug from the orifice in the end of said first mentioned section while ejection pressure is appliedto said dispensing tube. v

4. An automatic closure for paste tube dispens ing devices comprising a two-section'attachment for the neck of a paste tube, said sections comprising an inner attachment section andv an outer closure section, said outer closure section terminating at one endin' an orifice and having the other end thereof substantially conforming with the contour of the paste tube with which said inner attachment section connects, a hollow- 'convex diaphragm supportingmeans carried by said inner attachment section inspaced relation to the interior walls thereof, mounted on the periphery of said hollow-convex diaphragmsupporting means, a shaft connected with said diaphragm and terminating in a plug movable into or out of the orifice in said outer section, spring means for normally biasing said plug to a position closing theorifice in said outer section, saiddiaphragm operating under pre's sure resulting from theejection of contents of the'paste dispensing tube to effect displacement thereof into said hollow-convex diaphragm supporting means for withdrawing said plug from the orifice in the end of said first mentioned section for ejecting the contents of the dispensing tube so long as dispensing pressure is applied thereto.

5. An automatic closure for paste tube dispensing devices comprising a molded nozzle aper-' tured atone end thereof and substantially con forming at its other end with the contour of a a diaphragm pastetube, a pair of separablesepticns coaxially arranged within said noz zle,;onev of saidsections comprising unit attachable to the neck of a paste tube and the other of said sections comprising a hollow-convex pressure responsive unit said units being spaciallyrelated; forthe passageof paste-like contents from a paste tube per ip heral ly around said pressure responsive-,unitand in a path over said pressure responsive unit for ejec-; tion through the apertured nozzle, said pressure responsive unit including a convex resilient diaphragm and an aperture closingplug carried thereby whereby pressure exerted by the pastelike contents from the paste tube under the action of ejection tends to collapse said diaphragm into said hollow-convex pressure responsive unit for retracting said plug from the apertured nozzle for permitting the, ejection ,ofgpastelike contents therethroughandispring meansfor normallyrbiasing said pluginto closed relation with said aperturedvnozzlek 6. An automatic closure ,forpaste dispensing tubes comprising a screw-threaded nozzle attachable to the screw-threadedend of a paste dispensing tube, a ,cover member supported; in spaced relation to said nozzle, saidcover member terminating in a paste dispensing orifice; at one endand substantially conformingat its other end with the contour of a paste dispensing tube with 10 closed position 7 with j respect @to said apertured cover member at the conclusion of the dispensing operation .l c; :131' ,3 .I. 8. An automatic closure, for pastedispensing tubes of the type for ejecting paste-liketube contents under deformation of the walls: ofthe tube comprisinga nozzle.-like housing; te nating in an apertured ejecting endportionat one end and ,a skirt at the other end that substantially conforms with the contour of, thepaste dispensing tube with which, I said housing connects, a pair of ections insertable intosaid n n erased. s ct ns 'si in bt a fi sure responsive unit and the other of said sections consisting of a unit attachable to the neck of a paste tube, spacing members carried by one, of said sectionsand connectedv with the other of said sections fonspacing said sections to provide apassage for paste like material therebetween sure of paste ejected from a dispensing tube operates to depress said diaphragm for opening said orifice while the paste is being ejected and close said orifice when ejecting pressure is discontinued.

'7. An automatic closure for paste dispensing tubes comprising a screw-threaded nozzle attachable to the screw-threaded end of a paste dispensing tube, a pressure responsive unit including a diaphragm support of substantially convex contour, a pressure displaceable diaphragm member peripherally connected with said substantially convex diaphragm support, a plug carried by said diaphragm, means for spacially mounting said diaphragm support relative to said screw-threaded nozzle and a cover member apertured at the end thereof in alignment with the plug carried by said diaphragm and substantially conforming at its other end with the contour of the paste dispensing tube with which said cover member connects, means biasing said plug to a position closing said apertured cover member, said cover member enclosing said screwthreaded nozzle and said pressure responsive unit the periphery of said diaphragm support being spaced from the inner walls of said cover member thereby affording a passageway between said nozzle and said diaphragm support whereby the pressure of paste during the movement of the paste peripherally around and over said pressure responsive unit operates to displace said diaphragm for moving said plugwith respect to said apertured cover member for ejection of paste, said diaphragm operating to restore said, plug to andperipherally around one of said's ectionsand a plug carried by. saidpressureloperating unit and operative to open and close the aperture in the endof said nozzle-like housing] dependent upon the pressure exerted against said pressure responsive unit.

9 An automatic closure forpaste dispensing tubes of the ype for ejecting 'paste like tube contents under-deformation ofthe walls of the tube comprisingia nozzle-like housing termi+ nating in an apertured ejectingend portion at one end and ma portion substantially conformingwiththe contour of, the dispensing 'tube, with which saidhousing connects, at the other 'end, a pair of'sect'ions insertable into said housing, one of said sections consisting'of a'pressure responsive unit and the other of said sections consisting of a unit attachable to the neck of a paste tube, said units being spacially related to provide a passage for paste-like material therebetween and peripherally around one of said sections, a substantially hollow plug carried by said pressure responsive unit and operative to enter or retract from the apertured end of said nozzle-like housing, spring means extending through said hollow plug and normally operating to maintain said plug in sealed relation to the apertured end of said nozzle-like housing, and means operated by the pressure of paste-like material in the course of ejection thereof for effecting a retraction of said spring means for opening the passage between said plug and apertured end of the nozzlelike housing for effecting ejection of the pastelike material therethrough, said spring means operating to move said plug to closed position upon cessation of pressure upon the paste-like contents of the paste tube.

10. An automatic closure for paste dispensing tubes of the type for ejecting paste-like tube contents under deformation of the walls of the tube comprising a nozzle-like housing terminating in an apertured ejecting end portion at one end and in a portion substantially conforming with the contour of the dispensing tube, with which the housing connects, at the other end, a pair of sections insertable into said housing, one of said sections consisting of a pressure responsive unit and the other of said sections consisting of a unit attachable to the neck of a paste tube, said units being spacially related to provide a passage for paste-like material therebetween and peripherally around one of said sections, a substantially hollow plug carried by said pressure responsive unit and operative to enter or retract from the apertured end of said nozzle-like housing, spring means extending through said hollow said nozzle-like housing and a diaphragm connected with said plug and operative under conditions of pressure exerted by the paste-like contents in the course of' the passage thereof through said nozzle-like housing for overcoming the tension of said spring and effecting a retraction of said plug for ejectingthe paste-like contents through the apertured end oi said nozzle-like housing, said spring means operating to move said plug to closed relation with the apertured end of saidnozzle-like housing upon cessation of pressure upon the paste-like contents within the'paste tube.

11. An automatic closure for paste dispensing tubes of the type for ejecting paste-like tube con tents under application of pressure to the walls of the tube, comprising a noazle-like closure centrally apertured' in the end thereof, meansior attaching'the closure to the screw-threaded neck of a paste tube said nozzle-like closure having a coextensive annular skirt substantially conformingwith the contour of the paste dispensing tube with which said closure connects ,a plug mounted for longitudinal movement within said nozzlelike closure, a hollow-convex support centrally os tio ed wit dn i c o ur i a position peripherally spaced from the interior walls of saidnozzle-lilge closure, pressure rep i 113, 41 a i 'b 531d. h ow-c n e support, means for supporting said plug on said pressure responsive means and displacing said plu ial y i a d mea s-l ke fiss re u increase in pressure of the paste-like contents upon said pressure responsive means during the ejection thereof around said pressure responsive means and spring means associated with said pressure responsive means and operative to shift said plug into closed position with the apertured end of said nozzle-like closure upon cessation in applied pressure upon the paste-like contents of the paste tube.

ROBERTA. FELBURG.

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